Study suggests anemia could mean dementia

Anemia (low levels of red blood cells) may increase the risk of dementia,
according to a study published online today in the journal
Neurology.

The study looked at 2,552 people 70-79. Of those, 393 had anemia at the
start of the study. At the end, 445 had developed dementia.

Those who had anemia at the start of the study had a nearly 41 percent higher risk of developing
dementia than those who were not anemic. The researchers took other factors, including age, race
and sex, into consideration. Of 393 people with anemia, 89 (or 23 percent) developed dementia,
compared to 366 of the 2,159 people who did not have anemia, or 17 percent.

Researchers said the link may point to a link between anemia and poor health
in general. Another possibility, they said, is that low oxygen levels in anemic patients might
contribute.

The National Institute on Aging and the American Health Assistance
Foundation paid for the study.